Do you want to meet the biggest rabbits in the world? Dubbed the king of rabbits for being the largest of all existing breeds, continental giant rabbits aren't prized just for being spectacularly huge.
These giant rabbits are incredibly loving and friendly, something that makes them highly valued by those who love to have rabbits in their homes. For example, do you know that they are often compared to a dog for their behavior? Sociable, playful and very, very calm, these are just some of the characteristics that define the continental giant rabbits, will you stay to discover the rest in this file of our site?
Origin of the continental giant rabbit
The continental giant rabbits are descendants of the famous giant rabbits of Flanders. Like the Flemish Giants, the Continental Giant rabbits are one of the oldest recorded breeds of domestic rabbit. Specifically, it is estimated that these rabbits made their appearance back in the remote 16th century However, the first official standards were not drawn up until the end of the 19th century, since was in 1893 when the first of these was created.
About the same time that the first standards were recorded, these rabbits first set foot on US soil, becoming a very popular breed in North America Although it should be noted that the breed has not yet been recognized by the American Association of Rabbit Breeders, it is recognized by the British Rabbit Council, which distinguishes between colored and white, although different colors are registered., as we will tell you below.
Physical Characteristics of the Continental Giant Rabbit
That the continental giant rabbit is considered the largest rabbit in the world is no coincidence, since this lagomoform, which normally weighs around 6 kilograms, can reach up to 10 kilos without any problem. The life expectancy of this rabbit is quite short compared to other breeds, as it oscillates between 5 and 7 years
They have a large body, with strongly developed muscles, hind legs longer than the front legs and a semi-arched back. The head is large, being larger and broader in malesIn the case of females, a kind of quite noticeable jowl usually appears. Their ears are thick, erect, long and finished in round tips. The eyes are round in shape and have an expressive and bright gaze.
The coat of continental giant rabbits is made up of short, dense, thick and very shiny hair. They have an undercoat made up of softer, woolier fur that serves as insulation against cold and humidity.
Colors of the continental giant rabbit
The continental giant rabbit can have the following colors:
- Black.
- White.
- Grey, both clear and steel.
- Sand.
- Beige.
- Fawn.
Continental Giant Rabbit Character
The continental giant rabbit has a well-deserved reputation for being one of the most sociable and friendly rabbits of all. They are patient, outgoing, affectionate and very tame, allowing themselves to be touched and even picked up very easily.
They get along very well with children, who usually love to carry them from one place to another in their arms, something that at continental giant likes them very much, as they love all types and forms of displays of affection.
They are very sociable rabbits, this also means that they need constant contact to be in good spirits. In other words, they are not rabbits that handle loneliness well, neither prolonged nor temporary, as they need almost constant affection and company.
Although their large size might make you think that they need a lot of space, this is not the case, because they are very quiet, not tending to run continuously nor are they restless at all. Therefore, a space where they can move freely and have their objects, feeder, waterer and toys available will suffice.
To enjoy sharing time with your continental giant rabbit, you can take a look at this other article on our site on How to play with a rabbit?
Continental Giant Rabbit Care
The quintessential care of the continental giant rabbit is, without a doubt, giving them attention and affection, simply providing them with our company, because as we have That said, it is something vital for them.
Although they do not need too much space, it is usually recommended that, if possible, we give them access to outdoor areas, since be it a garden, a terrace or similar, where they can spread out, sunbathe and get oxygenated.
As for food, this should not be different from that of any other rabbit, although the amount of food they consume may vary. That is, their diet must be based on the consumption of hay, together with fresh vegetables, occasional fruits and specific feed for rabbits. An adequate diet makes your teeth, always growing, wear properly, avoiding pain, malformations and others. To find out what you can feed your rabbit, you can consult this other article on our site about Fruits and vegetables recommended for rabbits.
Continental Giant Rabbit He alth
The continental giant rabbit can suffer some ailments as a result of its large size. One of the most frequent and worrying are those related to your joints These problems are usually linked to suffering from overweight or obesityFor this reason, it is very important that our pet's diet is balanced, neither too little nor too much.
To avoid dental problems, it is advisable to monitor the wear of the teeth, going to the veterinarian if alarming signs are observed, as well as if our rabbit shows signs of pain or illness. Some of these symptoms are apathy, aggressiveness, lethargy or reluctance to eat and/or drink.
It is also important to go for regular veterinary check-ups, as well as vaccinate our rabbit of diseases as dangerous as myxomatosis or the disease viral hemorrhage, both deadly for them.
Continental giant rabbit for adoption
If we want to share our home with a continental giant rabbit, it is very important that first of all assess its needs and demands, being self-critical and judging if we will be able to fulfill them all.
It should also be noted that, although many people think that rabbits have a short life, as we have seen, a continental giant can live up to 7 years, so adopting it is along-term commitment that we will be accepting by welcoming you into our family.
If after considering all their characteristics and needs you are sure about adoption, we recommend going to animal associations, protectors or similar of our area, in order to inform us if they have a continental giant rabbit for adoption. If not, we can wait for one to enter, because by adopting we help prevent animal abandonment, giving these animals a chance to get out of the street and become part of a family.
